US 5,839,220 A · Collapsible marine animal trap and storage unit

Abstract

A collapsible lobster trap having an external and internal design very similar to existing, non-collapsible traps, which allows a user to transport by truck, boat, or other means, a larger number of traps per excursion than is currently possible. The trap has a rectangular bottom panel to which a first pair of opposed side panels and a second pair of opposed side panels are hingedly attached. A top panel is hingedly attached to one of the side panels and is secured in the closed position by two retaining straps. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each panel of one pair of opposed side panels is designed with ends overlapping the ends of the other pair of opposed side panels so that the vertical corners of the trap are structurally reinforced while maintaining collapsibility. The trap has two internal partitions made of a net-like material in the form of a funnel shape with the larger opening of the funnel shape being attached to the bottom and long sides of the trap and the smaller opening of the funnel shape attached to the sides of the trap creating multiple compartments. The long side panels each have an entrance opening also made of similar, net-like material forming a funnel to the inside of the trap. The partitions and the entrance openings are of such a design so as to make it extremely difficult for lobsters to escape. One alternative design of the device includes the removal of internal partitions for smaller-scale versions of the trap, such that the collapsible trap may be used for recreational purposes or for the trapping of other types of marine life. In another version of the device the internal partitions as well as the entryways may be omitted so that a collapsible storage unit is provided to retain relatively large numbers of marine animals.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A collapsible lobster trap comprising:

a. a bottom panel;
b. a plurality of side panels comprising a first pair of opposed side panels and a second pair of opposed side panels, each of said plurality of side panels being connected at a lower end thereof to said bottom panel, and said first pair of opposed side panels having engagement means detachably connecting said first pair of opposed side panels to said second pair of opposed side panels, wherein said engagement means includes a capturing bend on a first end and a capturing bend on a second end of each of said first pair of opposed side panels, wherein said capturing bend on said first end engages one end of one of said second pair of opposed side panels and said capturing bend on said second end engages one end of the other of said second pair of opposed side panels;
c. a top panel having one top panel side hingedly attached to an upper end of one of said plurality of side panels;
d. means for securing said first pair of opposed side panels to said top panel;
and
e. at least one collapsible internal partition affixed to said bottom panel and to said first pair of opposed side panels forming multiple chambers therein.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Collapsible marine animal trap and storage unit

Life of this patent

Collapsible marine animal trap and storage unit

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13